Da Ma Cai contributed a total of RM 195,000 to various health and health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in a simple cheque presentation ceremony held in Hospis Malaysia on 14 August 2008 afternoon.

Twenty six (26) organisations were beneficiaries of Health Aid 2008. These included Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation, Arthritis Foundation Malaysia, National Kidney Foundation, IJN Foundation, Breast Cancer Welfare Association, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malay, Malaysian Mental Health Association, Hospis Malaysia and College of Radiology, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia.

Health Aid programme began in 2003 and since its establishment, Health Aid has contributed a total of RM 770,000. This was strong testimony of Da Ma Cai’s ongoing efforts to raise the level of healthcare in Malaysia and complement the Government’s initiatives. Mr Yin Yee Yuen, Chief Operating Officer, Pan Malaysian Pools Sdn Bhd affirmed, “Da Ma Cai will remain focused in its approach to make valuable contributions with the objective of creating a healthier Malaysian community.”

As part of its Health Aid 2008 programme, Da Ma Cai organised a trip for a group of guests with life limiting illness and volunteers from Hospis Malaysia to the National Stud Farm in Tanjong Rambutan, Perak from 31st July to 1st August 2008. These home bound guests were given an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating experience at the Farm. A guided tour and briefing were also organised to give the visitors a deeper insight into the Farm’s daily activities. The trip invoked a great deal of curiosity and for some of them, already in their 70s, this was the first time they visited a horse farm. It was therefore apt that the cheque presentation ceremony was held in Hospis Malaysia, with special thanks to Dr Ednin Hamzah and his team of staff and volunteers for playing host to the event as well as for their cooperation in making the trip to the National Stud Farm a huge success.

Gracing the occasion was the tireless and ever helpful Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Hajjah Dr Aishah Ong. Despite Toh Puan’s active involvement in a myriad boards, foundations, non-governmental and academic organisations, she spared time to officiate at the Health Aid 2008 cheque presentation. Toh Puan in her speech, spoke of the Malaysian Health Promotion Board (HPB) of which she was chair and how the HPB had made it a priority to develop, implement and evaluate comprehensive health plans that will serve to benefit the public as a whole. Direct financial assistance would be given to worthy health promotion proposals and projects by NGOs.

Toh Puan mentioned that over the years of her involvement in social/charity work, she has had the privilege of getting to know hard working, dedicated individuals who have managed organisations effectively and were passionate to their cause. These organisations played a crucial role in healthcare and welfare support in society today and she saluted their efforts.

The event concluded with tea after the cheque presentation and group photography session.

About Da Ma Cai
Da Ma Cai is a brand of Pan Malaysian Pools Sdn Bhd (PMP) Malaysia’s authorised numbers forecast and racing totalisator operator. On an annual basis, PMP actively supports various causes in the areas of education, social welfare, public health and sports development through a wide range of programmes and activities carried out in the country.